Mirka's Innovation Hub in Turku strengthens collaboration
Since the beginning of February, Mirka has expanded its R&D facilities to Turku, establishing the Innovation Hub. Located in the modern university building, Aurum, this hub includes both office and laboratory spaces, providing a dynamic environment for groundbreaking research and development.
The Innovation Hub is set to enhance collaborations with the University of Turku and Åbo Akademi, and potentially other stakeholders in the region. Technology Manager Markus Kass, who will oversee the operations in Turku, emphasizes the significance of this step:
"This is an important step in further strengthening Mirka’s development collaborations. Our presence in these settings provides us access to a network of experts and infrastructure that can foster innovations."
The focus of the Turku Innovation Hub will be on research and development through projects and theses, initially targeting areas such as biomaterials, data, functional nanomaterials, ceramics, grain technology, and recycling/circular economy.
As part of the SHAPE program, Mirka is establishing three specific knowledge hubs to boost intensive joint work and long-term collaboration with partners: Mirka’s incubator (M.INC), a Surface Value Lab and the Innovation Hub. The Innovation Hub for university collaboration is designed to bring together a multi-disciplinary group of experts from leading universities and research institutes to tackle the grand challenges outlined in the SHAPE roadmap. By spreading knowledge and expertise, developing research competence, and supporting new ideas, the hub seeks to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, and promote spin-offs and start-ups.
“We want our Innovation Hub to be a collaborative space where opportunity meets innovation and we welcome new ideas. Our doors are always open, and we encourage the free exchange of thoughts”, concludes Markus Kass.
Want to learn more about our Innovation Hub? Contact Markus Kass to get involved and be a part of our journey.